LETITIA BALDRIGE'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE NEW MANNERS FOR THE '90S

Rating:
Summary: INFORMATIVE YET STIFF
Review: A book very down to the detail, with petty rules for plenty of everyday situations. Many other manners' books pay attention mainly to formal dinners, flower arrangements and wedding invitations. This ones does so for most of its pages, but it also provides advice regarding matters such as family life, manners with roommates, how to cultivate social life, sexual relationships at the office, and so on and so forth.
Still the reader should be warned that Letitia Baldridge's personal stance is, how would I name it?, let's say softcore puritanism. Here are some exemples to wit:
"Anyone who writes about sexual mores writes from a personal philosophy that is impossible to disguise. Mine is very openly pro-chastity as the only acceptable lifestyle for the young."
"[Manners with roommates] If you are planning on having sex on any particular evening, do it somewhere else. [Your roommate] should not have to put up with any rooommate's visiting friend of either sex (including an overnight lover) sleeping in."[Isn't this a bit too strict or have I got spoilt manners??]
"The right thing to wear - women [...] Know when and where to wear pants: It's okay to wear pants for sports and physical work.. Don't wear them on formal occasions, such as to a wedding. (I don't think they ever look right in church, as a matter of fact, but that's a personal opinion)"
"Every so often reinforce in the mind even of a kindergarten child the evil connotation of drugs - that they are like a wicked witch or a bad dragon [...] There really is no socially acceptable nonmedicinal drug. All are abused for the most part, even though people may start out using small amounts."[I am against drugs, but this is sheer obscurantism]
Anyway, the conclusion I reach after reading this and many others manners' books is that real manners are best learned in good novels, good films and just the social scene around you.

Rating:
Summary: Useful, sensible
Review: Probably the most useful book I've ever read. Certainly the book which I draw from most in my daily life, from personal to business. Ms. Baldrige teaches us that there's a great deal of common sense involved in the course of good etiquette. A great gift for ANYONE - unless the recipient takes offense.

Rating:
Summary: Useful, sensible
Review: Probably the most useful book I've ever read. Certainly the book which I draw from most in my daily life, from personal to business. Ms. Baldrige teaches us that there's a great deal of common sense involved in the course of good etiquette. A great gift for ANYONE - unless the recipient takes offense.